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How China Sees India and the World
In this magisterial book, acclaimed diplomat Shyam Saran (arguably the country’s greatest expert on China) writes the most authoritative account of the India–China relationship and how China perceives our country.
Saran starts his story with the rise and fall of Buddhism and its spread through the trade routes that connected India to China and China to Europe through Central Asia. As he recounts this gripping story, he questions, too, the Chinese claim that it was the most important and influential civilization of the ancient world, arguing that it was India who played that role.
As a work of history, How China Sees India and the World is superb and tells its story not just in big, bold strokes but also through entertaining nuggets such as the spread of the chopstick, or how the word ‘zen’ arose from ‘dhyan’.
As a work of political analysis, especially of contemporary China and India, it is erudite, acute and strongly argued, based on close readings of contemporary Chinese scholarship, CCP leadership speeches and writings, and through Saran’s own experiences as diplomat and Foreign Secretary. Authoritative and utterly compelling, How China Sees India and the World is a masterpiece – a work that will become a classic.
Saran starts his story with the rise and fall of Buddhism and its spread through the trade routes that connected India to China and China to Europe through Central Asia. As he recounts this gripping story, he questions, too, the Chinese claim that it was the most important and influential civilization of the ancient world, arguing that it was India who played that role.
As a work of history, How China Sees India and the World is superb and tells its story not just in big, bold strokes but also through entertaining nuggets such as the spread of the chopstick, or how the word ‘zen’ arose from ‘dhyan’.
As a work of political analysis, especially of contemporary China and India, it is erudite, acute and strongly argued, based on close readings of contemporary Chinese scholarship, CCP leadership speeches and writings, and through Saran’s own experiences as diplomat and Foreign Secretary. Authoritative and utterly compelling, How China Sees India and the World is a masterpiece – a work that will become a classic.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2022
27 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Shyam Saran
11 books34 followersAmbassador Shyam Saran is a career diplomat born on September 4, 1946. Since joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1970, he has served in several capitals of the world including Beijing, Tokyo and Geneva. He has been India’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Indonesia and Nepal and High Commissioner to Mauritius. In the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, he headed the Economic Division and the Multilateral Economic Division and also headed the East Asia Division which handles relations with China and Japan. As a Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office in 1991/92, he advised the Prime Minister on foreign policy, nuclear and defence related issues. After a career spanning 34 years in the Indian Foreign Service, he was appointed India’s Foreign Secretary in 2004 and held that position till his retirement from service in September 2006. Subsequent to his retirement, he was appointed Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Indo-US civil nuclear issues and later as Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator on Climate Change.
He has now concluded his assignment in Government and returned to being a private citizen. During his last two assignments, Ambassador Saran served as Prime Minister’s personal representative or “Sherpa” at the Gleneagles and St. Petersburg G8+G5 summits and was present at the Toyako and L’Aquila Summits as an advisor on Climate Change issues. He also attended the Pittsburgh G-20 summit as a member of the Indian delegation.
Currently, he serves as Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, which is an autonomous think tank specializing in studies on economic and trade related issues. He is also a Senior Fellow with the Centre for Policy Research, a prestigious think tank which covers a wide range of political, social and economic issues, including foreign policy related issues. He speaks and writes regularly on a variety of subjects.
On January 26, 2011, Ambassador Saran was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for his contribution to Civil Service. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest national award in the country. Ambassador Saran holds a post-Graduate degree in Economics. He speaks Hindi, English and Chinese and is conversant in French.
He has now concluded his assignment in Government and returned to being a private citizen. During his last two assignments, Ambassador Saran served as Prime Minister’s personal representative or “Sherpa” at the Gleneagles and St. Petersburg G8+G5 summits and was present at the Toyako and L’Aquila Summits as an advisor on Climate Change issues. He also attended the Pittsburgh G-20 summit as a member of the Indian delegation.
Currently, he serves as Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, which is an autonomous think tank specializing in studies on economic and trade related issues. He is also a Senior Fellow with the Centre for Policy Research, a prestigious think tank which covers a wide range of political, social and economic issues, including foreign policy related issues. He speaks and writes regularly on a variety of subjects.
On January 26, 2011, Ambassador Saran was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for his contribution to Civil Service. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest national award in the country. Ambassador Saran holds a post-Graduate degree in Economics. He speaks Hindi, English and Chinese and is conversant in French.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 29, 2022
This was enlightening - not only about China and India and their relationship, but also about the West. I always enjoy reading non-Western authors and learning how they see the EU, US & Co. Much of the book is about Chinese history: if you know it well, you may find it somewhat boring. Especially in the middle, the book loses a bit of steam as it's more about history and less about the analysis of what it means. Still, recommended to everyone interested in geopolitics and how we have ended up where we are.
January 1, 2023
An interesting take Chinese history and its relationship with the world. The author breaks down incrementally what the world at large and maybe India is not thinking about China. The book is an introduction to the Chinese philosophy and how it has grown over the past couple of thousand years. The ideas and focus on its presence in the global order and the traditions, linguistic ideas that have been consistently preserved since the start.
Chinese thinking is driven by how they look at the world. The entire world is a pecking order of hierarchy. Every other civilization is but a fragment of that order led by a Chinese global order. This has been the thought of the world operates. The thought is solidified by consolidating peripheral territories including Tibet, Xing Xiang etc and rewriting of history. China has faced years under oppression from Mongols, Manchus and the 100 years of humiliation by the Western powers. However in the process of rewriting history they call themselves as never under occupation. China even uses the maps, boundaries and leaders of Taiwan leadership to expand its place in global order. View of India is driven by much of the role it has played over its entire historical discourse.
India was a Western Paradise on extending Buddhism virtues to China. Post introduction of Muslim rulers in India as the Buddhism was on decline the, India was viewed as slave territory with negative connotation. Indian soldiers supported the Western subjugation during Opium wars and the merchants from Mumbai & Kolkata were the one who profiteered from the trade. India was as called out a negative example but other examples like Japan (which even though invaded China) was a positive example of growing Asian power.
In the coming decades as the power of China expands, there is scope of relook at the above view points while working on public policy. Post the financial crisis in 2009 as power of west is fading, the Chinese thinking on the pecking order of hierarchy and the only great Asian power has been solidified. The relationship has been thawed and it may well go the same way. This is a great volume for policy makers and analysts to consider while thinking of this ever evolving relationship
Chinese thinking is driven by how they look at the world. The entire world is a pecking order of hierarchy. Every other civilization is but a fragment of that order led by a Chinese global order. This has been the thought of the world operates. The thought is solidified by consolidating peripheral territories including Tibet, Xing Xiang etc and rewriting of history. China has faced years under oppression from Mongols, Manchus and the 100 years of humiliation by the Western powers. However in the process of rewriting history they call themselves as never under occupation. China even uses the maps, boundaries and leaders of Taiwan leadership to expand its place in global order. View of India is driven by much of the role it has played over its entire historical discourse.
India was a Western Paradise on extending Buddhism virtues to China. Post introduction of Muslim rulers in India as the Buddhism was on decline the, India was viewed as slave territory with negative connotation. Indian soldiers supported the Western subjugation during Opium wars and the merchants from Mumbai & Kolkata were the one who profiteered from the trade. India was as called out a negative example but other examples like Japan (which even though invaded China) was a positive example of growing Asian power.
In the coming decades as the power of China expands, there is scope of relook at the above view points while working on public policy. Post the financial crisis in 2009 as power of west is fading, the Chinese thinking on the pecking order of hierarchy and the only great Asian power has been solidified. The relationship has been thawed and it may well go the same way. This is a great volume for policy makers and analysts to consider while thinking of this ever evolving relationship
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February 4, 2025This book is a double whammy.
Written by a colonised guy whose sources are colonialists, about one seriously colonised country and the other who has done the most decolonisation.
In short, utter absolute shit.
Written by a colonised guy whose sources are colonialists, about one seriously colonised country and the other who has done the most decolonisation.
In short, utter absolute shit.
February 18, 2023
A brilliant book which covers the history of both India and China till present day, while describing the larger scale geopolitical events in context. It was quite informative and exciting to learn the intricacies of international interactions through time!
June 19, 2022
A concise and educative read on China's history, civilization, thought-process and contemporary view of the world. Some chapter in the middle can be skimmed for being only about China's historical dynasties than about strategy and relevance for today's times.
May 23, 2023
An ok read. The author attempts to analyse reasons for belligerent Chinese attitude towards India in recent times from historical context. Well researched work.
December 4, 2022
This book can be divided into 4 sections
1) Pre-Industrial Revolution intersections between India and China, how they saw each other, what they got out of each other (e.g. Buddhism), etc - here the author was thorough, but there was nothing particularly thought-provoking
2) The history of China - an impartial and accurate account
3) China's interactions with industrial powers and with India under British rule - how these interactions continue to shape China's foreign policy and viewpoints today
4) China's incredible growth story - this part surprised me the most because I have taken academic courses on the same so it was a pleasant surprise to see how well the author has captured the essence in a work meant for mass consumption.
For me, since I was already very familiar with China's history about 50% of the book was uninteresting even if it was accurate. I understand this would not be the case for most people so if you're looking for a credible historical account of China, please consider this book for that alone.
Lastly, I was disappointed to see that the author (like many other commentators) had missed out on the importance of China's agricultural and land reforms in its growth story. To understand how important agriculture (or land) has been in the developmental success of not just China but also Japan and Korea in what is called the East Asian Model of development, you may want to consider How Asia Works by Joe Studwell. Academically, it is called the Eastern Path of capitalist transition where the land-deficient but labour-surplus nature of economies like China and Japan (and indeed India) is the polar opposite of nations that have followed the Western Path (land-surplus but labour-deficient - think America and Europe).
1) Pre-Industrial Revolution intersections between India and China, how they saw each other, what they got out of each other (e.g. Buddhism), etc - here the author was thorough, but there was nothing particularly thought-provoking
2) The history of China - an impartial and accurate account
3) China's interactions with industrial powers and with India under British rule - how these interactions continue to shape China's foreign policy and viewpoints today
4) China's incredible growth story - this part surprised me the most because I have taken academic courses on the same so it was a pleasant surprise to see how well the author has captured the essence in a work meant for mass consumption.
For me, since I was already very familiar with China's history about 50% of the book was uninteresting even if it was accurate. I understand this would not be the case for most people so if you're looking for a credible historical account of China, please consider this book for that alone.
Lastly, I was disappointed to see that the author (like many other commentators) had missed out on the importance of China's agricultural and land reforms in its growth story. To understand how important agriculture (or land) has been in the developmental success of not just China but also Japan and Korea in what is called the East Asian Model of development, you may want to consider How Asia Works by Joe Studwell. Academically, it is called the Eastern Path of capitalist transition where the land-deficient but labour-surplus nature of economies like China and Japan (and indeed India) is the polar opposite of nations that have followed the Western Path (land-surplus but labour-deficient - think America and Europe).
August 20, 2022
How China Sees India and the World (2022) by Shyam Saran
The Jain Philosophy of Anekantavada may explain differences in perceiving things from different points of view, but with Saran Sir’s grand narration one can “see the world“through the lens of his ground experiences that is partly introspective, partly reflective and re-examines the key events unclouded by the passions of the day.
How China Sees India and the World opens with the chronology of Chinese History and the parallel developments in the Indian subcontinent, moving further towards to break the notion of Chinese “All Under Heaven”. As they say, “To win a war it is necessary to steal into the mind of one’s adversary, observe his thought processes, and then fashion an appropriate strategy “ with dim understanding of the each other’s civilization and growing cultural fault lines , the book indeed acts as an authoritative account of the Indo – China Relationship. The appendix chapter on the Chinese Script is an interesting add on and the finale chapter on the Afterword on China in the Post-Ukraine War World makes its very relevant read today .
#bookreview
The Jain Philosophy of Anekantavada may explain differences in perceiving things from different points of view, but with Saran Sir’s grand narration one can “see the world“through the lens of his ground experiences that is partly introspective, partly reflective and re-examines the key events unclouded by the passions of the day.
How China Sees India and the World opens with the chronology of Chinese History and the parallel developments in the Indian subcontinent, moving further towards to break the notion of Chinese “All Under Heaven”. As they say, “To win a war it is necessary to steal into the mind of one’s adversary, observe his thought processes, and then fashion an appropriate strategy “ with dim understanding of the each other’s civilization and growing cultural fault lines , the book indeed acts as an authoritative account of the Indo – China Relationship. The appendix chapter on the Chinese Script is an interesting add on and the finale chapter on the Afterword on China in the Post-Ukraine War World makes its very relevant read today .
#bookreview
June 23, 2024
For the uninitiated reader, this is a good treatise on China’s political history and the evolution of the key elements of its culture, all through the specific lens of what is and what makes China’s world view. The writer does an excellent job in juggling between maintaining a historical chronology, expounding specific concepts of China’s culture and shedding light upon international events and relations specific to a certain era or concept of China’s culture. Concepts and world events that are overreaching are briefly mentioned as soon as necessary in the narrative and discussed in appropriate depth in due course in the relevant chapters.
Towards the end the chapters begin to focus too much on China’s economic policies under Xi Jinping and the financial crisis of 2008. While the focus is understandable given China’s meteoric growth in recent decades, it would be equally interesting to know what cultural and social changes have taken place under the current regime and the events that led to it. Then also, it could be that I could not fully appreciate the last few chapters owing to my limited knowledge of macroeconomics.
Towards the end the chapters begin to focus too much on China’s economic policies under Xi Jinping and the financial crisis of 2008. While the focus is understandable given China’s meteoric growth in recent decades, it would be equally interesting to know what cultural and social changes have taken place under the current regime and the events that led to it. Then also, it could be that I could not fully appreciate the last few chapters owing to my limited knowledge of macroeconomics.
May 6, 2023
Awesome take on Chinese history and it’s present and goals for the future.
Authors has brilliantly portrayed Chinese history, and how it has impacted its modern ideology and foreign policy. Somewhere China is still under the impression that it’s Asian dominating power and it still treats itself and others same way. We get to read how Chinese people revered India as centre of knowledge and how later in the timeline it condemns and demeans India for falling pray to foreign powers.
After reading history and its impact on present China we get to understand much about the dragon. History of Tibet, conflicts with Japan and Taiwan, author has tried to present everything in this book. I accept that China, just as India, has a vast and long civilisational history and encapsulating it in one book isn’t enough still author has done a brilliant work in this book. This book is very helpful for people who are interested in history and India China relations.
Thank you
Authors has brilliantly portrayed Chinese history, and how it has impacted its modern ideology and foreign policy. Somewhere China is still under the impression that it’s Asian dominating power and it still treats itself and others same way. We get to read how Chinese people revered India as centre of knowledge and how later in the timeline it condemns and demeans India for falling pray to foreign powers.
After reading history and its impact on present China we get to understand much about the dragon. History of Tibet, conflicts with Japan and Taiwan, author has tried to present everything in this book. I accept that China, just as India, has a vast and long civilisational history and encapsulating it in one book isn’t enough still author has done a brilliant work in this book. This book is very helpful for people who are interested in history and India China relations.
Thank you
July 4, 2022
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran’s latest book “How China Sees India and The World: The Authoritative Account of the Indo-China Relations” looks into the historically and culturally rich China to provide an intellectual glimpse into the Chinese mind for readers to establish a theoretical understanding of its present strategic goals and foreign policy objectives.
The book certainly provides a different strategy for interpreting China’s aspirations, something which has been missing from the scholarly discourse on Indo-China relations to understand China’s rhetoric on building on its historical impetus to return to Pax Sinica.
The book certainly provides a different strategy for interpreting China’s aspirations, something which has been missing from the scholarly discourse on Indo-China relations to understand China’s rhetoric on building on its historical impetus to return to Pax Sinica.
January 22, 2023
A good introduction to China's history and it's perception/narrative about India. The book provides chronologically the connections between India and China . From the tranfer of Buddhism from India to increasing trade relations. Important events are highlighted and the role of these are explained in breif manner to provide a taste of China's socio economic transition. Also the current dynamics of of it's aggressive foreign and economic policies.
August 20, 2023
A little ramble-y for the last two-three chapters, but overall a good piece of literature. Arguably could read a few chapters of the book at get a solid gist of the thesis.
Very intriguing to see the roots of China’s approach towards India and the fundamentally racial nature of assessment deployed by the former towards the latter. Gives you a thorough sense of how China sees India unequally, and from a very reliable source.
Very intriguing to see the roots of China’s approach towards India and the fundamentally racial nature of assessment deployed by the former towards the latter. Gives you a thorough sense of how China sees India unequally, and from a very reliable source.
April 27, 2024
Good overview of the past two+ millennium of Chinese history, and how that history shapes China's present and view of the world. It's exceedingly valuable because of the above, providing an overview of China's external policies, and helpfully situates India-China relations in this context.
Also sheds light on the convenient retelling of history that the CCP engages in at present, to suit itself.
Also sheds light on the convenient retelling of history that the CCP engages in at present, to suit itself.
June 6, 2025
Excellent book to understand the history of China, how it sees the rest of the world and how difficult it might get to understand the culture and the people. Language is the most potent weapon they use to shield themselves and their plans. This book and the current geo political conditions has prompted me to explore more books on China!
December 6, 2022
Saran takes an informed view, having served as an Indian diplomat in that country, of how China sees itself more than anything else. It's self image is over-powering (to outsiders) and its sense of destiny almost etched in stone. The cultural insights are enlightening and the book is fascinating.
February 7, 2023
Wow,
What a book
It gave me a view of history of china, their politics, influence of one party one rule, Taiwan, hong kong, opium wars etc
The author explains all the history of china in a very detailed manner.
A wonderful book for one to know china.
What a book
It gave me a view of history of china, their politics, influence of one party one rule, Taiwan, hong kong, opium wars etc
The author explains all the history of china in a very detailed manner.
A wonderful book for one to know china.
July 26, 2022
Well Written. Erudite.
Very well written and covers all aspects of India -China relations. Gives a very detailed history of China as well
Very well written and covers all aspects of India -China relations. Gives a very detailed history of China as well
August 20, 2023
Perfect book for beginners who wants to know a thing or two about our immediate neighbour.
Hopefully more scholars, both indian and chinese follow the suit.
Hopefully more scholars, both indian and chinese follow the suit.
November 15, 2023
Lot of China history but less on the treaties n mindset that china has. In depth analysis read on my blog.
November 22, 2025
It felt like an incredibly overlong inaugural address to a China discussion seminar. I could not go past 100 pages. I am sorry.
February 10, 2025
Interesting read that gives us an interesting interpretation of China’s history and its role in determining how it sees ‘India and the world’
January 5, 2025
Last chapters are really worth reading. Book becomes boring in middle, but overall a good book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews